KS3 Curriculum
Key Stage Three (Years 7, 8 and 9)
All students follow a common curriculum at KS3. The following table lists the subjects and the allocation of teaching periods for each of them, over a fortnightly period.
|
Subject |
Year 7 |
Year 8 |
Year 9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| English | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Mathematics | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Science | 6 | 6 | 6 |
| Geography | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| History | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Modern Foreign Languages | 4* | 4 | 4 |
| Computer Science | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| Personal Development | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Art | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Drama | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Music | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Physical Education | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Technology* | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Total Number of Lessons | 50 | 50 | 50 |
| DfE Recommended Minimum | 48 | 48 | 48 |
* Students in Technology study a ‘carousel’, developing skills in Food Technology, Resistant Materials and Textiles.
* Students in Year 7 Modern Foreign Languages study on a 'carousel', learning the fundamentals of each MFL (French, German, and Spanish).
Key Stage 3 Assessment Criteria
For each subject at KS3, our students will be assessed using subject-specific assessment criteria, which can be located below.
These grids have been mapped by our Subject Leads against the curriculum intent of each subject area. The student’s report can then be used to see where a student’s learning is at, against subject-specific assessment criteria. From here, parents will be able to support their child's improvement in a specific area. The KS3 report will be based on 5 strands:
- Beginner (B)
- Working towards Expected Standard (WT)
- Expected Standard (ES)
- Working Above Expected Standard (WA)
- Outstanding (O)
Personal, Social, Citizenship and Health Education
At The Chalfonts Community College, Personal, Social, Health and Economic (PSHE) Education and Religious Education (RE) are delivered through our Personal Development curriculum, with students receiving dedicated lessons each week for Key Stages Three and Four and during tutor time at Key Stage Five. This integrated approach allows students to explore a wide range of statutory topics in greater depth through engaging, discussion-based lessons led by specialist teachers.
Through PSHE, students cover key statutory areas including health and wellbeing, relationships and sex education (RSE), and living in the wider world. Lessons help students develop the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to manage their lives now and in the future — supporting their physical and emotional wellbeing, understanding of relationships, and preparation for life and work in modern Britain.
Our RE provision provides students with the opportunity to explore different faiths, beliefs, values and worldviews, encouraging respect, tolerance and critical thinking. Students consider ethical and philosophical questions, the influence of religion on culture and society, and how belief shapes individual and collective identity.
By combining PSHE and RE within the Personal Development curriculum, we ensure students have the time and space to engage meaningfully with key issues, reflect on their values, and develop the confidence and empathy needed to thrive as responsible global citizens.
Our dedicated curriculum is supported and reinforced across the school in a variety of ways, such as:
- Our whole school values
- Assemblies linked to the half-term PSHE/RSE themes
- Our reward system
- School community events
- Varied enrichment opportunities